Hacking Hardware Others PS1/2 Magic 3 modchip clone for the Sony PlayStation 2

[SylverReZ]

The Magic 3 was created sometime around 2002-03 for the Sony PlayStation 2. Its driven by a Parallax SX28AC microcontroller, a very powerful microcontroller at the time, competing with Microchip's line of microcontrollers. I suggest you have a read of HackADay's thread on Scenix, as it delves into the company's history and the range of products they released. https://hackaday.com/2022/08/17/chips-remembered-the-scenix-ubicom-parallax-sx/

Just for the shits and giggles and to preserve the history of this neat relic, I have decided to re-create my own version of the chip, in a more modern form-factor similar to most modern chips on the market like the Matrix Infinity and Modbo. All you need are a few things: SSOP-28 versions of the SX28AC (you can buy a stock of these on AliExpress nowadays for pennies), a 50MHz 3-pin resonator (either SMD or THT if you're lazy), and x2 33K resistors (0805, SMD).

Do whatever you want with these files, I cannot care less. Modify it, re-distribute, any other form of modifications. If you are installing this for your own personal use, do this at your own risk, no warranties are implied. The creator is not held responsible for any unexpected damages.

 

[Darksabre72]

thanks for the share

 

[SylverReZ]

thanks for the share

No problem. Hope you find it super useful.

 

[Darksabre72]

No problem. Hope you find it super useful.

yeah and i took a look at that thread and it's really interesting. i hope when i get better at soldering i can try out this modchip, and if i do i will let you know how it went.

definitely will be interested in what you'll build next

 

[SylverReZ]

yeah and i took a look at that thread and it's really interesting. i hope when i get better at soldering i can try out this modchip.

definitely will be interested in what you build next

Here's my most recent one out of the bunch.
https://gbatemp.net/threads/cheapmod-mini-a-brand-new-cheapmod-based-modchip-for-the-og-xbox.636389/

Glad to hear somebody enjoy my works.

 

[Darksabre72]

Here's my most recent one out of the bunch.
https://gbatemp.net/threads/cheapmod-mini-a-brand-new-cheapmod-based-modchip-for-the-og-xbox.636389/

Glad to hear somebody enjoy my works.

yeah I'm always interested in seeing (and one day try) out these small projects, and with this project and (I have just looked) the ps1 modchip, you will go far. if you want you can see about spreading it into x or reddit for more people to notice your other projects.

 

[SylverReZ]

yeah I'm always interested in seeing (and one day try) out these small projects, and with this project and (I have just looked) the ps1 modchip, you will go far. if you want you can see about spreading it into x or reddit for more people to notice your other projects.

X and Reddit aren't my cup of tea, I see them as a negative part of social media imo. I do tend to share my works over via Discord and other places to get them noticed as best as I could.

 

[Darksabre72]

X and Reddit aren't my cup of tea, I see them as a negative part of social media imo. I do tend to share my works over via Discord and other places to get them noticed as best as I could.

oh ok well wherever works for you i do hope you get more praise and wish you luck, and if i ever install that chip and other projects i will definitely give you a shout out.

 

[Deleted member 565746]

The Magic 3 was created sometime around 2002-03 for the Sony PlayStation 2. Its driven by a Parallax SX28AC microcontroller, a very powerful microcontroller at the time, ...

Do you think it would be possible create a PS2 modchip based on Rasp Pico ?

 

[SylverReZ]

Do you think it would be possible create a PS2 modchip based on Rasp Pico ?

A few weeks ago, I was speaking to one of the devs who worked on the DMS and Crystal family of chips. They said that its possible by providing an interface for the SSBUS and Mecha-DSP bus.

 

[Deleted member 565746]

A few weeks ago, I was speaking to one of the devs who worked on the DMS and Crystal family of chips. They said that its possible by providing an interface for the SSBUS and Mecha-DSP bus.

Thanks, here in Brazil we have Thunder Pro 2 (discontinued) which has several addons like boot from USB (DEV3) but today it costs a lot, maybe someday a RPico project may be possible

https://www.vtec.com.br/thunderproii/especs.htm

 

[SylverReZ]

Thanks, here in Brazil we have Thunder Pro 2 (discontinued) which has several addons like boot from USB (DEV3) but today it costs a lot, maybe someday a RPico project may be possible

https://www.vtec.com.br/thunderproii/especs.htm

Perhaps that can be considered in the near future. The Pico is very powerful to do anything these days and I'd love to see some huge progress of this happening.

The Thunder Pro is a very interesting chip indeed, I've seen what the interface looks like and the hardware itself. Very clean and stable.

 

[SylverReZ]

https://github.com/1nick9/Magic-ICE-PS2-PCBs
https://github.com/1nick9/PS2-Magic-ICE-FINAL-REVERSE

Definitely check out Nick's PS2 magic ice works. He's done a good job at recreating his own PCBs.

 

[SylverReZ]

Less terrible version of the Magic 3 PCB is now available. So here it is, here is my updated PCB design for the Magic 3 as opposed to the previous one which still haunts me looking at it, because this is when I didn't have the best experience at PCB design. I also don't like KiCAD because not only it's finickly to use (almost as like you're using MS Paint) but also there's a lack of footprints that are important (such as the Ceralock resonator). I have improved a lot on my PCB design skills since then, and everything else was in the past.

Here are the many changes I've made over the past day:

The nice thing about this design is that it has a thermal ground plane at the bottom; because the SX28 runs very hot at nearly 50C, you don't want to run the risk of the modchip potentially shorting out and/or overheating. I might consider adding some additional protection but maybe sometime in another revision.

Traces have enough leg room and aren't way too close to one another.

Have fun modders!